In this special episode of Brain in a Vat, Brad Duchaine from the Psychological and Brain Sciences Department at Dartmouth discusses prosopometamorphopsia (PMO) – a condition where individuals see distorted faces.The episode explores various manifestations of PMO, including seeing demonic features, dragons, or entirely different faces, and distinguishes it from prosopagnosia (face blindness). It delves into the neurological basis of PMO, touching upon structural and functional differences in the brains of those affected.We discuss the significant impact PMO and prosopagnosia have on individuals' social interactions and quality of life, as well as potential management techniques such as using glasses or colored lights to reduce distortions.Chapters:[00:00] Introduction and Guest Presentation[00:20] Exploring the Case of Face Distortion[03:19] Understanding the Nature of Distortions[05:49] Comparing Prosopagnosia and PMO[07:17] The Role of Visual System in Face Recognition[10:01] Impact of Face Recognition on Social Interactions[14:16] The Spectrum of Face Recognition Abilities[16:20] The Role of AI and Hallucinations in Face Recognition[23:48] Understanding the Diagnosis of Face Recognition Disorders[30:20] Understanding Prosopagnosia: Prevalence and Characteristics[31:59] The Mystery of PMO: Prevalence and Need for More Research[32:46] Exploring the Impact of Prosopagnosia and PMO on Social and Sexual Relationships[33:23] The Intersection of PMO and Other Psychiatric Conditions[37:03] The Struggles and Challenges of Living with Prosopagnosia and PMO[41:02] Potential Treatments and Coping Mechanisms for PMO[51:22] The Neurological Basis of PMO and Prosopagnosia[54:51] Testing and Characterizing PMO: A Deep Dive into Research Methods[59:54] Understanding the Perception and Processing of Faces in PMO

When is death preferable to living? Are there fates worse than death? And what sort of future society should we build?Lionel Shriver discusses her latest novel, Should We Stay or Should We Go.

Should you be required to get a parental license from the State before you can raise your own children? Do the wishes of parents matter at all – or should we only care about the best interests of their children?

In this special episode of Brain in a Vat, we step outside our usual format to interview Miles Spencer, founder of Reflekta — a company using cutting-edge AI to recreate digital reflections of loved ones who’ve passed away.Miles shares his personal journey of using Reflekta to reconnect with his late father and explains how the system blends voice recordings, photos, and written biographies to create realistic digital personas. The discussion covers the emotional impact, ethical questions, and philosophical issues raised by this technology, from preserving family memories to reviving historical or fictional figures.We also consider what it means to build a living legacy in the age of AI, and how this might change the way we understand grief, identity, and memory.Chapters:[00:00] Introduction[00:15] Meet Miles Spencer, Founder of Reflector AI[03:07] How the Technology Works[07:12] Philosophical Implications of Digital Afterlife[15:29] Living Legacies and Ethical Boundaries[23:12] Historical and Public Figures[26:33] Family, Memory, and AI Elders[33:17] Reflections on “The Rehearsal” and Reality[42:31] Future Implications[47:54] Legacy, Spirit, and the Human Story[51:21] Closing Thoughts

Is it permissible for members of one group to appropriate the cultural practices of another? Is there anything wrong with cultural appropriation at all, or are there benefits to cultural appropriation?

How did the Aztecs understand life, morality, and human purpose? What can Aztec philosophy teach us about living well? Sebastian Purcell guides us through Aztec thought, beginning with a thought experiment from Homer’s Odyssey and moving into the core ideas of Aztec wisdom. Along the way, he contrasts Aztec ethics with Western traditions and applies them to modern debates on morality, from sex and meat consumption to life’s ultimate purpose. The conversation also takes on difficult topics like human sacrifice and sexual norms, showing how Aztec thought continues to challenge and enrich philosophy today.Chapters:[00:32] Odysseus and the Genie: A Thought Experiment[04:40] The Concept of Rootedness[08:17] Aztec Obligations and the Good Life[19:12] Shared Agency and Virtue[27:51] The Challenge of Community Bubbles[28:58] Aztec Views on Community and Travel[32:44] Human Sacrifice: Myth or Reality?[48:51] Aztec Moral Framework and Applied Ethics[53:03] Sexual Ethics in Aztec Society[57:06] Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this special episode of Brain in a Vat, Mark and Jasondiscuss the tragic assassination of political commentator, Charlie Kirk. The episode discusses Kirk's commitment to open dialogue and civil discourse, particularly on college campuses, and critique the societal implications of hisdeath.The episode delves into themes of free speech, academicfreedom, and the dangerous conflation of words and violence. Jason and Mark also address arguments attempting to justify or minimize Kirk's assassination,advocating instead for a return to civility and the importance of open, reasoned debate.00:00 Introduction and Tribute to Charlie Kirk01:22 The Importance of Civil Discourse03:47 The Dangers of Conflating Words and Violence05:00 Free Speech and Academic Freedom10:04 Philosophical Perspectives on Assassination15:01 The Impact on Society and Free Speech16:14 Addressing Arguments Justifying the Assassination27:04 Reflecting on Empathy and Society's Response29:18 Conclusion: A Call for Civility

Is racial profiling always wrong, even if used by an AI to decrease crime? Should we use AI to judge criminal cases, recommend sentences for the guilty, or decide parole for prisoners?Chapters:[00:00] Introduction to AI in Crime Fighting[00:12] Thought Experiment: The Looting Scenario[06:32] Predictive Policing and AI[10:13] Debating the Ethics of AI in Law Enforcement[23:26] Affirmative Action and Racial Profiling[37:51] Balancing Crime Reduction and Social Engineering[39:00] AI in Sentencing: Benefits and Challenges[40:08] Algorithmic Transparency and Legal Implications[43:15] The Opaque Jury Argument[47:44] Fairness vs. Accuracy in Legal Decisions[57:25] Philosophical Implications of Opaque Decision-Making

In this episode of Brain in a Vat, we’re joined by Brian Leiter, co-author (with Jamie Edwards) of a new book on Marx. We explore whether workers in contemporary capitalism are truly free—or trapped in a form of “wage slavery.” Leiter uses thought experiments to probe the limits of workplace freedom. He also examines Marx’s labor theory of value—its strengths and flaws—and shows how modern capitalism both confirms and diverges from Marx’s predictions.The conversation then turns to labor, technological change, human nature, and artificial intelligence—culminating in a pressing question: what futures of work await us under capitalism?Read "Marx (The Routledge Philosophers)" by Brian Leiter and Jaime Edwards here: https://www.amazon.com/Marx-Routledge-Philosophers-Brian-Leiter/dp/1138938505Chapters:[00:00] Introduction and Guest Welcome[00:18] Thought Experiment: Are You a Wage Slave?[02:10] Free Labor vs. Unfree Labor[05:11] Historical Context and Modern Implications[16:07] Capitalism's Role in Technological Progress[20:22] Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work[32:05] The Essential Nature of Human Beings[38:59] Critiques of Marx's Naivety[46:25] Technological Innovation and Labor[51:33] Marx's Labor Theory of Value[58:18] Fetishism of Commodities[01:00:59] Future of Capitalism and Human Nature[01:10:14] Concluding Thoughts on Marx and Capitalism

What are possible worlds? Could you have been born to different parents, and could an object be both completely green and completely red? Barry Lam explains how David Lewis’s views on possible worlds can help us understand everything from time travel to the nature of who we are.

Is it wrong to bring new life into the world? Is adopting a child a moral obligation? Is parenting meaningful?

Would the world be better if we didn’t recognize genders?In such a world, there would be males and females, but nothing associated with what it means to be male or female other than biological facts. Men and women would be equally likely to be social leaders. And there would be no stereotypically male or female behavior.In this world, there’d be true sex equality, and, it seems, no need for trans activists. Should we fight for such a world?

What does a spy owe — to their country, their conscience, or their cause? In this episode, Cécile Fabre investigates the moral lives of Cold War operatives like Kim Philby and Oleg Gordievsky. With Fabre, we probe the strange morality of spies and the ethical paradoxes they inhabit.Is it ever right to betray your country? Can deception be a moral duty? These questions come to life through real stories of espionage. Competing ethical frameworks — such as utilitarian, deontological, and virtue-based — offer different judgments on such acts. We also confront the role of ideology, the weight of consequences, and the question of whether loyalty to the state should override personal conscience.From secrets and double agents to the philosophy of trust and betrayal, this conversation delves into what it really means to be a “moral” spy.Chapters:[00:00] Introduction to Espionage[00:30] Case Study: Kim Philby[02:48] Case Study: Oleg Gordievsky[05:32] Ethical Dilemmas in Espionage[09:55] Philosophical Perspectives on Treason[30:48] Role Morality and Consequentialism[43:52] Virtue Ethics and the Spy's Conduct[58:21] The Duty to Betray[01:01:24] Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Do we have a right to sex, and is there an obligation to sexually fulfill the disabled? Should sex work be not only legal, but obligatory?[00:00] Introduction and Guest Welcome[00:16] Exploring the Right to Sex: Thought Experiment[03:43] Negative vs. Positive Rights to Sex[09:50] State-Sponsored Sex Work and Ethical Considerations[11:52] Sexual Obligations and Imperfect Duties[23:51] Rights to Sex in Relationships and Marriage[30:43] Philosophical Grounds and Parallel Cases[31:29] Moral Implications of Ending Sexual Activity[34:17] Third-Party Interference in Sexual Rights[37:39] Sexual Rights in Mental Institutions[49:24] Social Justice and the Right to Sex[53:51] Challenges to Social Justice Arguments[58:14] Concluding Thoughts on Sexual Rights and Justice

In this episode of Brain in a Vat, we welcome back Jessica Flanigan for a discussion on the decriminalization of sex work.Using a decriminalization framework, Flanigan examines the ethics of sex work and the role of state regulation.The conversation explores autonomy, consent, and coercion. It also addresses the stigma surrounding sex work, its possible benefits, and the impact of market dynamics on both workers and clients. Flanigan offers a nuanced perspective on a complex and often controversial topic.Check out our related episode on sex work and prostitution featuring Lori Watson: https://youtu.be/feG24mRCTzo[00:00] Introduction[00:25] Thought Experiment: Don and Melania[06:36] Arguments Against Prostitution[11:57] Market Dynamics and Gendered Preferences[21:18] Regulation and Legal Models[26:13] Advertising and Public Perception[31:55] Comparing Sex Work to Other Professions[34:04] Labor Justice and Sex Work[37:47] Consumer Protection in Sex Work[38:55] Licensing and Certification in Sex Work[45:05] Moral Obligations and Promises in Sex Work[51:01] Contracts and Personal Autonomy[57:45] Changing Attitudes Towards Money and Sex[01:00:47] Conclusion and Final Thoughts

What exactly makes us feel disgusted? Is disgust for a person or group ever justified? And is disgust useful, or should we try to eliminate it?Chapters:[00:00] Introduction to Disgust and Cognitive Content[00:11] Paul Rosen's Experiments on Disgust[02:16] Disgust and Its Connection to Animality and Mortality[03:05] Projective Disgust and Social Implications[05:06] Disgust in Legal Theory and Practice[08:00] Personal Anecdotes on Disgust and Social Change[11:18] Disgust Towards Transphobia and Body Malleability[13:24] Disgust in Art and Pornography[22:17] Disgust, Fear, and Contamination[23:13] Overcoming Disgust and Social Progress[29:49] Caste and Disgust in India and America[31:45] Tagore's Critique of Caste and Disgust[35:02] Progress and Challenges in LGBTQ+ Rights[43:07] The Role of Disgust in Political and Social Issues[52:45] Age Discrimination and Societal AttitudesCheck out FeedSpot's list of 90 best philosophy podcasts, where Brain in a Vat is ranked at 15, here: https://podcast.feedspot.com/philosophy_podcasts/

What does it mean to be patriotic, or to love your country? Some argue that patriotism is virtuous because it allows us to transcend our selfish needs and act for the good of our community. But others argue that patriotism is overly narrow-minded, arbitrary and sometimes immoral.Microdigressions Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@Micro-DigressionsChapters:[00:00] Introduction to Brain Nevada[00:27] Exploring John Lennon's 'Imagine'[01:11] Critique of Utopian Ideals[01:52] Possessions and National Identities[05:44] The Role of Security Companies[06:19] Metaphysics of Property and Groups[11:58] Patriotism and Fictional Nations[15:07] Patriotic Love and Social Constructs[17:44] Allegiance and National Identity[23:34] Rationality of Patriotism[29:09] Patriotism Post-9/11: Sentiment and Criticism[30:56] Moral Conflicts in Patriotism[34:28] Patriotism and Unjust Wars[40:00] Loyalty and Its Limits[44:09] Patriotism in Historical Contexts[47:28] The Invisible Hand[49:23] Patriotism in a Globalized World[56:09] The Future of Nation States and Global Culture[58:55] Closing Thoughts

In this episode of Brain in a Vat, Georgi Gardiner returns to explore the epistemic value of tarot: its capacity to shape self-understanding, spark creative reflection, and influence major life decisions.Drawing on personal experience and philosophical analysis, Georgi examines how tarot can serve as a mirror for introspection while also raising concerns about confirmation bias and self-deception. The discussion also considers the history and diversity of tarot practices, and compares tarot with artificial intelligence as a tool for navigating uncertainty and meaning.Whether you are a skeptic, a believer, or somewhere in between, this conversation offers a thoughtful examination of how we seek knowledge and what counts as a good reason to believe.[00:00] Introduction and Guest Welcome[00:11] Georgie's Personal Journey with Tarot[00:51] The Impact of Tarot on Decision Making[11:50] The Epistemic Value of Tarot[28:22] Potential Criticisms of Tarot[31:28] The Five Waves of Tarot History[38:29] Confirmation Bias and Flipping the Reading[42:25] Comparing Tarot and AI in Epistemology[44:09] The Role of Tarot in Education and Research[59:01] Concluding Thoughts

In this episode, Brain in a Vat is joined by public philosopher and author Agnes Callard to explore the relevance of philosophy in everyday life. Drawing from her work on Socrates, Agnes makes a case for why philosophical inquiry matters, now more than ever. From the pig farmer analogy to Socratic love, this conversation is a deep dive into how philosophy is a way of life.Chapters:[00:00] Introduction to the Guest and Topic[00:44] The Monologue vs. Dialogue Experiment[06:50] Philosophical Training and the Element of Surprise[13:34] The Nature of Philosophical Inquiry[21:45] The Pig Farmer Analogy and Life's Purpose[29:26] Intellectual Progress and Stability[31:41] Socratic Views on Love[35:21] Friendship and Enemies in Philosophy[47:47] Cultural Perspectives on Disagreement[54:58] Conclusion: Inspiring Philosophical Lives

Are Jews entitled to their own homeland? Is the Israeli response to the massacre of civilians perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th justified? Should there be a ceasefire? David's Article in Quillette: https://quillette.com/2023/10/21/its-not-the-occupation/ Raja Halwani wrote to us about Jason's exposition of his view at 33:06. Here is Raja's clarification:**I wanted to clarify a point that Jason made during the interview with David Benatar. Jason asked Benatar what he thought of the view that “the view is that the Gazans are an oppressed people. They’ve been oppressed for so long that they’ve acted out of desperation. And there’s only two options that they have.” Jason goes on to say that I have defended the view that “the Gazans are an oppressed people who only have two options. The one option is to die and the other option is to attack, to attack Israel in order to secure some sort of freedom. Those are its only two options. And so ... Raja takes the view that if Hamas were to lay down its arms, then it’s just a slow death for the Gazans. That’s, that would be the future of Gaza.”However, I did not make this claim about having only two options, nor would I, because it reads as a justification of killing civilians, especially given the context of the Hamas attacks of October 7 (and other attacks against Israelis). It reads as a justification because if death is one of only two options, then the second, to attack, seems permissible. The last sentence in Jason’s question, about Hamas laying down its arms, seems to especially imply this (though Jason did not intend to make me come out as justifying Hamas’s actions).Jason attributes this view to me based on something I wrote in my blog (as he explained to me in personal correspondence). Here is the specific passage on which Jason bases his attribution:People are quick to condemn Hamas for the evil that it has wrought, but they are as quick to neglect that Hamas acts out of sheer desperation, out of the sheer desire, no matter how steep the price, to score a victory against Israel, a country whose military might not even its prime ministers fully comprehend, and out of the sheer hopelessness of the slow death that their people has been dying. Although to explain this is not to justify it, I also ask the reader: What options do the Palestinians have? What do you advise them to do? Their liv